Windows 10: how to recover lost USB external hard disk after its drive uninstalled? it cannot be...

After I uninstall External USB rive Driver, how to have Windows 11 initialise ? There are only two optionsMBRGPDEither option fails and reports "the request cannot be performed because of an I/O device error" by Virtual Disk Manager.The drive is no longer recognized.Reason of my uinstall driver is, to try fix Windows 11 Disk Management not continue formatting USB external Drive; Drive LED stops blinking after 10 minutes.

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External hard drive not recognised

Thanks for this. I've done what you suggested and been through all the steps mentioned in the article. The hard drive works fine on a Mac computer, and I've managed to copy the information on it. It must be a Surface issue so I'll try to get a chat line tomorrow.

 

External hard drive not recognised

Hi twynog,

The issue that you're experiencing with the external hard drive might be due to some missing Windows hardware or software updates. To help you in resolving this, you may follow the steps below:

Method 1: Uninstall and then reconnect the external hard drive - this method resolve issues where the currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupt.

• Select Start, type Device Manager in the Search box.
• Select Device Manager from the returned list.
• Select Disk Drives from the list of hardware.
• Press and hold (or right-click) the USB external hard drive with the issue, and select Uninstall.
• After the hard drive is uninstalled, unplug the USB cable.
• Wait for 1 minute and then reconnect the USB cable. The driver should automatically load.
• Check for the USB drive in Windows Explorer.

If method 1 doesn't work the way it should, you may proceed to other steps provided in this
article.

Do get back to us if you need further assistance.

If you think this was useful, you may "mark it as an answer" to help those who are facing the same issue.

 

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) seen as Solid State Drive in Optimize Drives

Hi Joshua,

Which hard drive is an external and internal?

Did you checked the hard drive is visible when you go to This PC?

I suggest you to type diskmgmt.msc in the start search and hit enter.

Check if you can see both hard drives.

You may also uninstall and then reconnect the external hard drive and check.

This method resolves issues where the currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupt.

• Click Start, type Device Manager in the Search
  box
• Click Device Manager from the returned list.
• Click Disk Drives from the list of hardware
• Right-click the USB external hard drive with the issue, and click Uninstall.
• After the hard drive is uninstalled, unplug the USB cable.
• Wait for 1 minute and then reconnect the USB cable. The driver should automatically load
• Check for the USB drive in Windows Explorer.

Please update us with the status. We will be glad to assist you.